Top 10 virus protection programs

Download Malwarebytes Now. Trend Micro has a good malware scanner and decent internet security tools for Windows users. Trend Micro has a good cloud-based malware scanner as well as decent extras like data breach monitor and email phishing protection. Download Trend Micro Now. ESET provides an advanced anti-malware engine and diagnostic tools for security experts — while ESET is a good choice for highly tech-minded users, most users should look elsewhere. ESET provides secure antivirus protection along with some unique features for advanced users.

If comprehensive system usage reports and device encryption tools sound like an appealing extra, then ESET is a great choice. If you have no idea what those features are, then check out one of the other programs on my list. Cylance is an ok choice for users without any previous experience using an antivirus, but there are much better choices, even for non-technical users. Cylance provides a good AI-based malware scanner and not much else.

Cylance is available for up to 10 users, and it offers a day money-back guarantee. Download Cylance Now. Yes, most Windows 10 computers come pre-installed with Windows Defender, which is much more useful now than it was a few years ago. However, it does not provide the same malware protection that the other antiviruses on this list do.

But if you keep any kind of sensitive info on your computer — logins, passwords, banking info, photos, etc. While there are a few free Windows antiviruses that do a decent job of protecting your PC, none of them will fully protect all of your data. Antiviruses like Norton and McAfee have a huge range of internet security features that make sure your computer and all of your most important data is fully protected from the latest cyber threats. All of the antiviruses on this list will run smoothly, quickly, and without performance issues.

The top Windows 10 antivirus of — Norton — will not slow down your PC system at all, regardless of how you use it. Many antiviruses cover multiple operating systems across Windows, Android, iOS, and Mac devices, including most on this list. All of these antiviruses have been ranked and rated for Windows, but they all have other OS support which is equally as impressive.

Professional Reviews. Affiliate Commissions. Our comprehensive security software not only defends your Windows, Mac OS, Android and iOS devices, but also protects your identity and personal information.

Stay safer on the web with our password manager, securing your credentials by generating and storing complex passwords, auto-filling your account info for faster logins. Designed to be consistently updated, McAfee security software will provide digital protection today, tomorrow and beyond without the need to purchase a new product. Buy on Amazon.

Enrolling in our auto-renewing subscription and storing a payment method is required for activation and use. You will get an email reminder before we charge your payment method and can cancel your automatic renewal at any time in your Norton account.

For new Norton subscriptions only at an introductory price. We regularly research and test our options to determine which software leads the pack, and we update this list periodically based on those tests. We would also like to note that antivirus software isn't the only security feature you should invest in. A secure virtual private network to protect your internet traffic, a password manager to keep track of login credentials and an end-to-end encrypted messaging app to stop others from spying on your communications are all essential in protecting your personal information.

Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and high-profile attacks like the Columbia Pipeline hack are becoming more commonplace, which is concerning. Looking for free antivirus protection, malware protection or virus detection, willing to pay for an antivirus program that offers broad internet security coverage across all your devices, including from ransomware and phishing, or need to remove a computer virus or malware from your PC right now?

Here's where to start when looking for the best antivirus software for your needs. Honestly, if you practice safe computing -- you keep your software up to date, you use strong passwords with the help of a password manager , you steer clear of unexpected emails and you don't click suspicious links that may be phishing attempts -- you probably can avoid zero-day attacks and ransomware attacks.

And with the free Microsoft Defender Antivirus software running on Windows 10, you have a malware protection safety net if you do let your guard down. In fact, it is one of the best antivirus software. Note that Microsoft changed the name of Windows Defender to Microsoft Defender and has expanded the service to other platforms.

This free antivirus program is built into Windows and it's turned on by default, the antivirus engine does its thing, and this antivirus solution will cover the basics of internet security. Microsoft pushes new updates frequently. Defender also lets you tune the level of protection you want, giving you control over blocking potentially unwanted apps and protecting folders and files from a ransomware attack.

Note that Windows 10 will automatically disable its own Windows Defender antivirus when you install third-party antivirus. If you uninstall the third-party protection, Windows 10 will turn back on its own antivirus. Norton antivirus provides industry-leading security software for PC, Mac, and mobile devices.

Note, we don't think antivirus protection is terribly useful outside the Windows realm. In addition to malware and virus protection for your computer and mobile device, this antivirus suite provides GB of backup to the cloud, safe-browsing tools, a secure VPN, password manager, parental controls and LifeLock identity theft protection and fraud alert.

While not all of those services are necessarily best in their respective class, getting them all in one package is a compelling option. If you'd like to take a step up in securing your PC without taxing your wallet, it's hard to beat Bitdefender's free antivirus software for Windows The Windows security software offers real-time monitoring for viruses, malware, spyware and ransomware protection.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is easy to set up and stays out of your way until you need it. And the protection this antivirus product offers is solid.

Bitdefender antivirus software consistently earns top marks for its antivirus protection and usability from the respected AV-Test independent testing lab. The free antivirus version covers one Windows PC. Malwarebytes does protect your PC from a virus or malware attack, scoring reasonably well in recent independent testing for guarding against malware threats. But that's not really what Malwarebytes is known for. If you find yourself in trouble, the go-to disinfectant for many is Malwarebytes.

To get the antivirus company's free antivirus version, download this trial version , which "downgrades" to a no-fee on-demand cleaner with fewer features that detects and removes viruses and malware when you run an on-demand antivirus scan after 14 days. In addition to the four antivirus apps we recommend above, a handful of other anti-malware tools are worth considering among the best antivirus protection if you find them at a better price or just prefer to use one over our picks above.

It feels like McAfee Antivirus has been around forever, first on its own in the '80s, then as part of Intel starting in , and then again on its own when Intel spun it off in And McAfee Total Protection has been around forever because quarter after quarter it creates solid, modern antivirus software that protects your PC.

After an attack, Bitdefender gives you the tools to break down and understand why the attack happened and how to avoid it in the future.

On top of that, Bitdefender leverages machine learning to predict and block threats before they can impact your business. Who Should Use It: Businesses that need to monitor and analyze threats before they can happen.

Emsisoft employs four different protection layers to keep your data safe from nearly all threats. It starts with protection from malicious websites in the browser, protecting your business from the most significant threats.

After that, Emsisoft uses machine learning to detect zero-day malware and block it in real-time. That should cover most threats, but Emsisoft goes further.

The software uses behavior analysis to detect potentially malicious apps, and it uses that analysis to detect things like ransomware before it can encrypt your data. Outside of protection, Emsisoft includes a centralized web dashboard for seeing the protection across your business. Here, you can manage your teams, set custom protection policies and much more.

Who Should Use It: Anyone looking for holistic protection that you can manage through a centralized dashboard. F-Secure takes a different approach to business antivirus.

All of its services are centered around F-Secure Elements, which is a cloud-native platform that allows you to choose the protection you need. There are four services available, each protecting a different aspect of businesses. For most, Endpoint Protection is the most critical element. Powered by AI and based in the cloud, Endpoint Protection can help your business reduce attack surfaces, identify threats from community-sourced data and defend your data in the event a breach happens.

Malwarebytes can protect as little as a single device and as many as devices. Those include real-time protection on desktop, ransomware and phishing protection and zero-day exploit detection. If you have a larger team or need extra security, Malwarebytes has you covered. The premium package includes threat isolation and recovery, ransomware rollback and the ability to add server security.

From protecting a few devices in a small office to defending dozens of devices from large attacks, Malwarebytes has something for everyone. Who Should Use It: Malwarebytes offers a scalable platform that fits in the small office as well as it does in the sprawling enterprise.

Norton is a household antivirus name, and for good reason. The business service provides the same excellent protection. That said, it loses a few points due to a limited feature set and high prices.

Norton provides the convenience of a personal antivirus with the reach of a business one. As a cloud-based service, you can easily manage your devices and protection without dedicated hardware.

AVG sets itself apart with features such as Linkscanner, which checks links before you open them, and CyberCapture, which sends unrecognized files to AVG for analysis. Featured Partners 1. Holistic antivirus protection is important for business and personal use, but there are few areas that are more important for businesses.

Browser and email protection are two of the main precautions. According to the cybersecurity firm Proofpoint, phishing schemes are a rampant issue in the business community, and email is a top attack vector.

An antivirus service can help identify malicious emails and links, which already deals with a significant issue businesses face. Ransomware protection is very important for businesses, too.